Cornerback J.C. Jackson has lots to prove, on and off field

Monday

FOXBORO — J.C. Jackson admits he was surprised when he went undrafted last April.

But if his play at Patriots three-day minicamp last week is any indication, it could be others who end up being surprised.

The cornerback out of Maryland was one of the biggest eye-openers at camp. Even though there were numerous veteran cornerbacks in camp, it was Jackson who constantly lined up with the top defensive unit opposite Stephon Gilmore. [...]

FOXBORO — J.C. Jackson admits he was surprised when he went undrafted last April.

But if his play at Patriots three-day minicamp last week is any indication, it could be others who end up being surprised.

The cornerback out of Maryland was one of the biggest eye-openers at camp. Even though there were numerous veteran cornerbacks in camp, it was Jackson who constantly lined up with the top defensive unit opposite Stephon Gilmore. When veteran receivers like Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson were on the field, it was Jackson standing in front of them.

“It turns on your competitive light and [gets] your competitive level up, too,” Jackson said. “Those guys are great and they have been in the league a long time. It is a good feeling and I love coming out here and practicing with those guys.”

Jackson was projected to go in the later mid-rounds (fifth or sixth) in the 2018 NFL Draft. But he was carrying alot of off-field baggage so the end result shouldn't have been surprising.

One of the top cornerback recruits in the nation, Jackson signed with Florida out of Immokalee [Fla.] High School in 2014.

His freshman year on the field was forgettable. He injured his shoulder in the opening game, and didn't play the rest of the season. His year off the field was filled with controversy. In early December, police found marijuana in a car that included Jackson and several teammates, but charges weren’t filed. Later in the month, a shooter opened fire into a car that held Jackson and two other friends. A bullet grazed Jackson’s eyelid.

Then, in April 2015, Jackson was charged with three counts of home invasion with a deadly weapon and one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling. The charges carried a potential life sentence in prison. Seven months later, Jackson was found not guilty on all charges. According to the police report, two people with Jackson robbed an apartment while the cornerback was outside on the phone. They stole money, an Xbox and marijuana.

That was the last straw for Florida.

Jackson moved on to Riverside City College. In 2015, he enrolled at Maryland, where he stayed out of trouble. Last year, he was a Big Ten honorable mention after making three interceptions and seven pass breakups.

After not being drafted, the Patriots were the clear choice. Jackson knew he’d be surrounded by the right people.

“It’s just a lot of great guys on this team. A lot of guys you can look up to,” Jackson said. “Like not only being a good football player, but off the field, too. Those guys, they teach you the little things, film study, just doing the little stuff.”

Jackson would follow former undrafted corners Malcolm Butler, Jonathan Jones and Justin Coleman if he makes the Patriots 53-man roster.

On Day 2 of minicamp, the first pass Tom Brady threw fell incomplete as Jackson had good coverage on Hogan. He took his play up a notch on the final day of minicamp, finishing with two pass deflections — both on Brian Hoyer passes while covering Hogan, then Patterson.

“[He’s] somebody that can cover and he’s covering well,” Harmon said. “Each and every day he’s working hard and trying to learn our terminology, our defense. He’s a young guy [who's] eager to get better. He’s steadily been progressing. It’s going to be on him for what he wants to do, but he’s just got to continue to get better, continue the same approach he’s having and it should be good to see where he ends up.”

“I’m in a great place right now,” Jackson said. “I have a great opportunity ahead of me. I just have to keep working and improving every day.”

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